MeatEater has bought First Lite

[Wilderlife]

I'm always amazed at how little faith some people on this forum have in Meat Eater and Steve Rinella.

 

[spider]

I wonder what MeatEater thinks can be improved. Generally you buy a business because one of the following (or some combination): a) undervalued, b) could be improved, c) you want to diversify, d) you want to grow (or protect against a competitor).

Anyway, this looks to be a positive news thing.

I think of the reasons listed the diversification is probably it. MeatEater has been expanding quite a bit since the company formed and I think having a hard product to sell outside of the media probably attractive, especially with Sloan's Sitka background.

I think something to keep in mind is that a company like First Lite 12 years old was probably a good candidate to get purchased regardless, I think being in the hands of a company with the stated goals and values of MeatEater can only be good thing

 

[EastMT]

You forgot to factor in how the camo underwear will fit in with all of this.

Those camo underwear are excellent for swimming trunks on hot days. No wet boxer contests allowed in my camps!


I have yet to be begin to procrastinate.

 

[zeroforhire]

I wonder if stone glacier is next.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[ODB]

I wonder if stone glacier is next.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

He he he...

The problem when things like this happen is you give up some autonomy.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I didn’t have a problem with the camo underwear, other than it didn’t survive as many washings as it should have, for the price. The made in China is the real killer for me.

How can any North American company that is pro-hunting send $$ to that place truly amazes me. The Chinese black market is responsible for the bulk of the poaching taking place in Africa and elsewhere in the world right now. How many rhino horns do they really need to make their peckers hard? The Chinese imprison millions of people for the way they worship and pollute the environment to a ridiculous extent, no thank you.

 

[Rodéo]

Thanks for posting OP!

Curious... anyone know what FL sold for? Or if they made that info public?

 

[BRobertson]

MUH LIBRUL AGENDA!!!! Somehow... lol

This doesn't surprise me, I'm curious to see how it plays out.

As far as buyouts lowering quality, I hear it all the time but do we have concrete, verifiables examples of that happening?

Yes, I can name a few!!! Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, Filson, Smith and Wesson, Remington, Marlin, Milwaukee Tools,
Craftsman Tools, etc, etc. !!

 

[Idaho_Potato]

Starbucks of hunting

#makingcorporatecoolagain

The next BassPro/Cabelas?

 

[BrokenArrow]

I think D. They will continue to make strategic purchases of products/brands that fit the skit. Also, many times a company’s inability to expand and do R&D/take risks is because they can’t afford the cash outlay and don’t want to go in debt on a chance. Getting some of Chernins money will free them a bit to do that. I’ve seen this exact thing happen several time over the last year.

I was curious about this too. Was it Cherims ultimate decision and part of the ME acquisition was set aside for this very thing.
Sure seems so.
And it seems per the press release that FL will have R&D/sales/marketing control?

 

[Trial153]

My experience with First lite products hasnt been the best, quite hoenstly I been avoiding them the last couple of years and pretty much moved all I had. Fitment issue ( crazy swings in sizing) lack of durability, a poor quality control didnt sit well with me.
I am hoping that with this move things make a turn for the better

 

[isu22andy]

I didn’t have a problem with the camo underwear, other than it didn’t survive as many washings as it should have, for the price. The made in China is the real killer for me.

How can any North American company that is pro-hunting send $$ to that place truly amazes me. The Chinese black market is responsible for the bulk of the poaching taking place in Africa and elsewhere in the world right now. How many rhino horns do they really need to make their peckers hard? The Chinese imprison millions of people for the way they worship and pollute the environment to a ridiculous extent, no thank you.

View attachment 105711

Sitka KUIU Firstlite they are all made in China . Bet your typing this on a Chinese phone or a Chinese computer. Its hard to get away from .

 

[tdhanses]

Hopefully the CA and NY AG’s don’t sue to block this industry consolidation, any word on if the DOJ will approve?

This makes perfect sense, I just didn’t realize ME had these kind of resources even with the recent minority investment they received.

If SG is next EXO better start looking for a new camo patterns or maybe we’ll see Steve in an EXO this year?

 

[cuerro viejo]

Hopefully the CA and NY AG’s don’t sue to block this industry consolidation, any word on if the DOJ will approve?

This makes perfect sense, I just didn’t realize ME had these kind of resources even with the recent minority investment they received.

If SG is next EXO better start looking for a new camo patterns or maybe we’ll see Steve in an EXO this year?

Or they buy NEMO next.........

 

[tdhanses]

Or they buy NEMO next.........

Or Enlightened Equipment..... hmmm industry domination....

 

[cuerro viejo]

I think of the reasons listed the diversification is probably it. MeatEater has been expanding quite a bit since the company formed and I think having a hard product to sell outside of the media probably attractive, especially with Sloan's Sitka background.

I think something to keep in mind is that a company like First Lite 12 years old was probably a good candidate to get purchased regardless, I think being in the hands of a company with the stated goals and values of MeatEater can only be good thing

I’m sure there where some employees that had earned equality positions and this was everyone’s pay out for the 12 years of hard work and growth. Probably a plethora of reasons. I bet we don’t see much difference long term

 

[cuerro viejo]

Or Enlightened Equipment..... hmmm industry domination....

NEMO is already partnered w/Firstlite, and fills the next niche. Enlightened almost to niche

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I have a real issue spending the kind of money asked for merino wool/performance clothing that is asked for when it is made in China. It's possible that there is more in the cost than I realize, but $50 for a pair of boxers is high and especially when made in the land that does everything so cheap.

It makes me feel like I'm the one getting fleeced.

 

[adamm88]

The whole thing is interesting, you look at Cal coming over to meat eater and realized this has been in the works for awhile. My mind goes to that there was financial trouble and needed a backer with the meat eater corporation. You figure going to a direct supply model maybe was harder than anticipated on them.

Id be interested to see if exo goes away from the first lite patterns on their packs or if meat eater will go to exo packs. I know it was mentioned they will buy stone glacier next(part of this was jest i think) but i doubt that will happen with stone glaciers clothing line that just came out. It will be interesting to see this unfold but hopefully a good move for all parties.

 

[BradArnett]

I just want hip vents.

This!